YOU DON'T HAVE TO FORM A GROUP TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING, YOU CAN DO A LOT BY YOURSELF

Across Ireland, ARAN volunteers are out every weekend busy highlighting our campaigns, generating new support for our work to end animal abuse. Setting up an information table in a busy area of town is a great way to reach a large number of people. Choose a spot with a lot of pedestrian traffic. Find out where other groups in your community set up tables, and get a list of festivals and fairs from your local Chamber of Commerce, Department of Parks and Recreation, or Department of Tourism.

ASKING PERMISSION

Once you've chosen a good location for a table, call the city council, shopping mall manager or your local police station to find out about the regulations that you'll need to follow. Ask the following questions:

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Do I need a permit? (Permits are usually easy to apply for but may take two or three weeks to process.)

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How often can I use this spot?

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Are there any restrictions on the type of equipment that can be set up?

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Are there any regulations on selling items, such as buttons and bumper stickers, at a table? (If so, you can ask for donations instead of charging for the merchandise.)

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Ask for several copies of the application form to save for future use.

SETTING UP YOUR TABLE

To set up the most successful table that you can, you'll need the following items:

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One or two card tables or a folding display table

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A folding chair

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Pamphlets

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Posters: some mounted on plywood and covered with plastic (See "Making Displays" for more tips)

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An easel or other support for the posters

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A plain tablecloth

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A donation can

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Sign-up sheets (so that you can contact activists for future events)

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A cardboard or wooden sign or a banner with your group's name on it

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A plastic drop cloth (in case of rain)

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Lots of clear paperweights--small but heavy

You can order a "Table Pack" from PETA who provide activist materials for free of charge, which includes literature, sign-up sheets, and posters.

Arrange your table neatly and attractively. Remove rubber bands from pamphlets so that people can easily pick them up. Keep an eye on your donation can; don't let someone walk off with it. Leave a five-dollar bill and some change in the can to encourage people's generosity!

TABLE MANNERS

If visitors to your table seem interested, ask them to leave their telephone number and e-mail address. Thank them and let them know that you'll keep them posted.

Don't spend so much time with one person that you miss contact with others who may be interested. Be especially sure not to waste time and attention on someone who disagrees with you; you may alienate people who overhear the argument. Instead, clarify your position briefly, express regret at your disagreement, and turn to someone else as quickly as possible. You may feel as if you're "backing down," but arguing at a table is a waste of time and can cause you to miss potential supporters.

Above all, remember to smile. Be friendly and patient. You, too, were once unaware of animal abuses. Let others know that your background is much like theirs, but that once you learned about animal suffering, you decided to take action. Lifestyles and attitudes are easy to change—you're living proof! And you can show others how to be more compassionate, too!